I learned a new word today: galeophobia!

Today's installment of "I learned a new word" comes from a personal place:


I have a huge fear of sharks, to the point where I was actually scared to google this word (I had my cursor poised over a new tab on my screen) for fear that a picture might actually come up. That would be really cruel of google.

I learned this from my daily Mediabistro email in a story about how the Shark Week App is the #1 thing this week or something. The above definition is from MedicineNet.com, but the word does not appear in Merriam-Webster, and dictionary.com is telling me that "galeophobia" means "fear of cats" (I do not have that fear! Kitty love!) so who knows if this is true. I'm shocked I've never heard the technical name of my suffering before.

Currently freelancing

So Damn Lucky by Deborah Coonts

playing house

A long-held desire of mine has been to live in a place for long enough to warrant buying a pretty personalized address stamp like this one from Felt & Wire. Ah, dreams.

Nerd Shopping Spree

I got a little bit of a promotion at work today and on my lunch break proceeded to go on a nerd's version of a shopping spree to celebrate. I bought some tiny unnecessary gadgets at the Container Store and then went over to Paper Presentation on 18th Street, which is the greatest stationery store in New York City (and is quite possibly my favorite store, period). Behold, the wall of fancy pens!



This wall just makes me so happy. Their selection is a pen nerd's dream, because not only do they have the pen brand you like, but they have it in every color and weight, too. I spent $20 on pens. Including a splurge on not one but TWO silver metallic Sharpies (one for work and one for home). Because life is better when you have the perfect pen, right? Am I the only one still holding on to old favorite pens even though they have run out of ink? For sentimental purposes?



Next I went to B&N where I purchased two FULL-PRICED books, a thing I never do (hello, library, swap.com, used book stores, working at a publishing company and borrowing). I bought A Visit from the Goon Squad and The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks, both of which I will attempt to squish into my suitcase for vacation next week.

Freelancing

Action shot! Here I am freelancing.

40 Love by Madeleine Wickham